September 15., 2026
€1,300
Master's & PhD Candidates
February 1
Official guide to the OeAD Scholarship Austria 2027, funded by Austria’s Federal Ministry of Education.
Provides a monthly stipend of up to €1,300, full tuition waivers, health insurance, and a travel allowance.
Covers short research stays (1–9 months) and PhD opportunities through programs like the Ernst Mach Grant Austria.
Securing a written confirmation letter from an Austrian host supervisor is mandatory before applying.
Main application deadline is December 1, 2026, with zero application fees on the official portal.
Table of Contents
The OeAD Scholarship Austria is a fully funded research and study grant portfolio funded by Austria’s Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research. Open to international PhD candidates, postdocs, and researchers, the scholarship provides a monthly stipend of up to €1,300, full tuition waivers, health insurance support, and travel grants. To qualify, applicants must secure a written invitation from an Austrian host supervisor before applying through the official OeAD portal prior to the main December 1, 2026 deadline.
What Is the OeAD Scholarship?
OeAD Scholarship Austria: OeAD (Österreichischer Austauschdienst) is funded mainly by Austria’s Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research. It runs research grants, study grants, and academic exchange programs for international students and researchers coming to Austria, not full undergraduate degree funding in most cases.
Key OeAD Grant Programs & Categories
When exploring your options for an OeAD Scholarship Austria, you will find that the agency manages several distinct programs
Ernst Mach Grant – Worldwide.
The flagship program. Funds a short research stay (1–9 months) in Austria for postgrads, PhD candidates, and postdocs from any country except Austria. Not a full degree; it complements research you’re already doing elsewhere.
Ernst Mach Grant – ASEA-UNINET.
Specifically for Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Unlike the worldwide version, this one funds a full PhD (up to 36 months), plus postdoc research and music practice stays.
Ernst Mach Grant for Universities of Applied Sciences.
For bachelor’s or master’s students from non-European countries, at an Austrian FH (Fachhochschule) rather than a university.
Ernst Mach Follow-Up Grant.
For postdocs who have already held an OeAD scholarship before, and it’s been at least 3 years since their last funded visit.
Eligibility Criteria & Requirements
To successfully qualify for an OeAD Scholarship in Austria, applicants must meet a specific set of baseline requirements:
Nationality: Open to any nationality except Austrian.
Student Status: You must not currently be a regular student in Austria, nor primarily educated within the country.
Age Limits: Generally, candidates must be under 35 years old for research-stay grants, and under 45 years old for postdoctoral grants.
Supervisor Requirement: You must secure a confirmed Austrian supervisor or a host institution before submitting your application.
If you want to explore more funding opportunities tailored for international researchers across Europe, check out our comprehensive overview of the Ernst Mach Grant Austria 2027.
Monthly Stipend & Financial Benefits
When receiving an OeAD Scholarship in Austria, the financial benefits and duration vary depending on your specific program:
Ernst Mach Worldwide: Provides a monthly stipend of approximately €1,300 for a duration of 1 to 9 months.
Ernst Mach – ASEA-UNINET (PhD): Offers a similar monthly stipend range for up to 36 months.
Ernst Mach – Universities of Applied Sciences: Provides a monthly stipend of approximately €1,150 with a duration that varies by program.
In addition to the monthly allowance, all Ernst Mach grants waive tuition fees, include health insurance support, and add an international travel subsidy of commonly up to around €1,200. Keep in mind that stipend figures can vary somewhat across sources, so it is best to confirm the exact current rate on your specific program’s official page before budgeting
Application Deadlines for 2027 Intake
OeAD grant sub-programs operate on independent timelines rather than a single unified deadline. Make sure to track the exact cutoff for your specific grant stream:
Ernst Mach Grant – Worldwide: Applications open in mid-November 2026 and close strictly on December 1, 2026 (23:59 CET) for research stays during the 2027–2028 academic year.
Ernst Mach Grant – Universities of Applied Sciences (FH): Features two annual intake deadlines:
March 1, 2027: For stays starting in the Autumn/Winter semester or full academic year.
September 15, 2027: For stays starting in the Spring semester.
Ernst Mach Grant – ASEA-UNINET: Applications typically open in late December and close on March 15, 2027.
How to Apply for OeAD Scholarship in Austria
Securing an OeAD Scholarship in Austria requires careful preparation and following the official steps in order:
- Confirm which specific program fits your level and country.
- Secure a written invitation or acceptance from an Austrian supervisor or host institution first — this is required before you apply, not after.
- Register on the OeAD grants portal.
- Upload your research proposal, transcripts, CV, and supervisor’s letter.
- Submit before your program’s specific deadline. Late applications aren’t accepted.
How to Secure an Austrian Host Supervisor
A written invitation from an Austrian host professor is mandatory before applying. Follow these quick steps to secure one:
Find Matching Faculty: Search Austrian university directories for professors whose research aligns with your field.
Draft a Research Proposal: Prepare a concise 1–2 page outline detailing your project goals, methodology, and academic plan.
Send a Direct Email: Email the professor with your CV, research proposal, and an explicit mention that you are applying for the OeAD grant.
Get Official Confirmation: Request an official signed host confirmation letter on university letterhead to upload to the portal.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applying Without a Host Supervisor: Submitting an application before securing a confirmed written invitation letter from an Austrian professor or host institution.
Expecting Full Degree Funding: Assuming OeAD funds full 2-year Master’s or 4-year Bachelor’s degrees, when most grants are designed for short research stays (1–9 months).
Confusing OeAD Programs: Treating OeAD as a single scholarship rather than an umbrella agency managing distinct programs like Ernst Mach Worldwide, ASEA-UNINET, and FH grants.
Missing Program-Specific Cutoffs: Relying strictly on the December 1 deadline without checking individual program cutoffs (such as FH grants on March 1 and September 15).
Applying While Already Enrolled in Austria: Submitting an application if you are already registered as a regular student in an Austrian university.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does OeAD fund a full degree?
Mostly no, as most OeAD grants fund short research stays (1–9 months) alongside a degree you are already pursuing elsewhere; the ASEA-UNINET program is the main exception, funding a full PhD for five specific Southeast Asian countries.
Do I need a supervisor before I apply?
Yes, a confirmed Austrian host or supervisor is strictly required as part of your application, not something you arrange afterward.
How much does it pay?
It provides around €1,300 per month for the flagship Ernst Mach Worldwide grant, plus a tuition waiver, insurance support, and a travel subsidy, though exact amounts vary by program.
Can I apply if I'm already studying in Austria?
No, regular students at Austrian universities and anyone primarily educated in Austria are not eligible.
Scholarship Researcher and Writer